Author Topic: Schleral lens  (Read 28730 times)

cinnamon

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #15 on: November 02, 2012, 06:46:47 pm »
Thank you Dena for sharing about the schleral lens. My ophthalmologist recommended Dr. Leclear some time ago but I am just now thinking I should really explore this option more. After 6 1/2 years of an extremely dry eye I figure anything has to be better than what it is now. I am aware of the cost and that you only wear it during the day but often does it need to be replaced? I read online 1-3 years. Also, do you buy your supplies from Dr. Leclear or do you have a specific place that is less expensive? I use an erythromycin ointment for my eye at night but sometimes I tape the eye with a waterproof adhesive tape. I have a patch but I toss and turn so much that I can't keep it on. You give me hope for dry eye relief. Thank you, I will have to call to schedule an appointment.

Lisa H.
2.0 cm tumor removed suboccipital on 07-20-06
Left side facial paralysis and deaf ear. Just now researching hearing aid after 6 years!

Dena King

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #16 on: November 02, 2012, 07:21:50 pm »
I was told the lens would last about a year, sometimes longer he said.  I have spoken with another patient and his first one lasted about a year and a half.  You do not buy any of the eye drops, cleaning solutions, etc from Dr. Leclear.  The solution drops that go in the lens itself is a written prescription.  It is a box of 100 tubes and with my Human insurance I only had to pay $10.  I buy the other eye drops, cleaning solution, etc. at Walgreens, but have seen it at Meijer and Kroger as well.

The bubble patches I wear at nite are wonderful and they do not come off.  I see you are also from Southern Indiana may I ask who your Opthalmologist is?  I go to Dr. Catherine Newton in Louisville.

Believe me after fighting extremely dry eye since 1981, this lens has been a true blessing.  I will be honest it does takes some practice to get the lens in.  I would be more than happy to share more information if you would like to privately message me.  Dr. Leclear is wonderful.  Really cares about his patients.
Lime size AN removed Nov, 1981
Complete left side facial paralysis/hearing loss.
1985-1987 7x11 crossover facial nerve graft surgeries -Julia K. Terzis MD, Norfolk , VA
Left eye tarsarophy 1990
Bi-Cros hearing aids 2011
Received left eye scleral lens, Sept, 2012

Jill Marie

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #17 on: November 02, 2012, 11:29:15 pm »
Hi Dena,

Would like to know where you get the bubble patches from.  Did some looking on the Internet last week and didn't have much success at finding them.  Saw my eye doctor last week and he referred me to a specialist so I can look into getting the schleral lens.  Played phone tag with the doctor all week, hopefully I can talk to her next week so I can find out if the lens will work for me.  Thanks again for your help!  Jill
Facial Nerve Neuroma removed 6/15/92 by Dr. Charles Mangham, Seattle Ear Clinic. Deaf/left ear, left eye doesn't water.

Dena King

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #18 on: November 03, 2012, 07:58:55 am »
Hi Jill,

I order the patches at    www.dryeyeshop.com,   they are called NitEye patches.  I believe they were $4.35 for two of them.  I can usually use a patch for 3 nights, I just clean them out with a little saline solution to sanitize the bubble area just a bit, but not to get the sticky part wet if that makes sense. 

They have other things on their website as well.  I bought a pair of the lasik goggles to wear sometimes also.

Good luck!
Dena
Lime size AN removed Nov, 1981
Complete left side facial paralysis/hearing loss.
1985-1987 7x11 crossover facial nerve graft surgeries -Julia K. Terzis MD, Norfolk , VA
Left eye tarsarophy 1990
Bi-Cros hearing aids 2011
Received left eye scleral lens, Sept, 2012

Jill Marie

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #19 on: November 03, 2012, 07:49:26 pm »
Thanks Dena, I will order some now.  Jill
Facial Nerve Neuroma removed 6/15/92 by Dr. Charles Mangham, Seattle Ear Clinic. Deaf/left ear, left eye doesn't water.

cinnamon

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #20 on: November 05, 2012, 04:08:28 pm »
Sorry Dena it has taken a couple of days to reply. I don't get on my computer as often as I like with a 3 year old running around. My ophthalmologist is Dr. Douglas Gossman in Louisville. He has been great to me and actually told me about Dr. Leclear about two years ago. I am just now looking into the phonak cros hearing aid but I am also really interested in helping my dry eye. I cannot believe six years have passed by and I have dealt with the impairment. I want things to be better. Wow, I wish the lens lasted longer. I may talk with you privately another time. Thank you so much for offering. I cannot commit to both right now so I am starting with the hearing aid. I go next week to Doctors Hearing care to talk about aids. They mentioned the baha but I really don't want another surgery. Anyways, things are on my mind and now I know I have someone I can talk with that is using the lens. That is great. Thank you again for sharing.

Lisa H.
2.0 cm tumor removed suboccipital on 07-20-06
Left side facial paralysis and deaf ear. Just now researching hearing aid after 6 years!

Jill Marie

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #21 on: November 16, 2012, 11:27:45 pm »
Dena,

I finally got an appointment with a contact lens specialist.  It's been 3 weeks since my eye doctor gave me the referral, because of lost faxes and playing phone tag I decided to type a letter and mail it to the doctor.  She called me the next day and I set up an appointment.  She says she's confident she can help me, trying not to get my hopes up encase it doesn't work out.  I don't see her tell Dec 12th, will let you know how it goes.  Perhaps this will be the best Christmas present ever!  Thanks again for kick starting my search for relief.  Jill 8)
Facial Nerve Neuroma removed 6/15/92 by Dr. Charles Mangham, Seattle Ear Clinic. Deaf/left ear, left eye doesn't water.

nancyann

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #22 on: January 13, 2013, 03:05:17 pm »
Dena: WOW!! Thank you so much for this info. I use Refresh pm ointment constantly, also wear the NITEYE bubble patch at night. This lens sounds amazing! I will look into it, check w/ my eye docs. Maybe I'll be able to wear eye makeup again (the ointment leaves my lids greasy & eye makeup never stayed on the paralyzed side).!
Always good thoughts, Nancy
2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

Jill Marie

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #23 on: January 13, 2013, 03:35:01 pm »
Hi Nancy,

I saw my contact lens specialist a few days ago and she ordered my permanent lens for me.  Been using a loaner lens until we were sure it was going to work. She told me that the lens was originally made by one company but as businesses do, several other companies started making similar lenses under different names.  Its a gas permeable lens, the company that makes mine is called Valley Contax, the lens itself is called Valley 15.  Different companies sell there lenses to different parts of the country.

I've been told the lens will cost around $250 and last 3 or 4 months.  My Insurance should cover it but if it doesn't I'm not worried as it will be way less then what I pay for the ointment not to mention how much better I feel.  She fitted the lens for me the first day I saw her.  I posted about it under subject: Early Christmas present, if you want to know more or you can just ask me.

She has been working with another doctor lately to show him the benefits of the lens.  He asked why the lens was not flat across my eye, she told him it was to make sure the lens didn't stick to it.  I have seen a couple of eye doctors the last few years and none of them would try a contact lens on me for fear of it sticking to my eye because it is so dry.  I was to the point where it didn't matter, was willing to try anything.  The lens is GREAT, there are so many positive things to having it! 

I think the eye doctor wants to experiment with me as she hasn't seen anyone with the issues I have and wants to learn as much from me as she can to not only help me but to help others as well.  Will let you know if I learn about anything else that might help you.  Please let me know what you find out from your doctor.  Take Care, Jill :)
Facial Nerve Neuroma removed 6/15/92 by Dr. Charles Mangham, Seattle Ear Clinic. Deaf/left ear, left eye doesn't water.

nancyann

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #24 on: January 14, 2013, 07:09:03 pm »
hi Jill: my eye doc wasn't sold on it, I emailed him some research about it. I noticed optometrists are doing fitting for it. If he doesn't help, I will go to an optometrist in my area who has been fitting them for others.
Do you fill the lens with fluid, & does the fluid stay in the lens to keep your cornea moist? Is there any concerns re: infection b/c liquid is stagnant against the cornea?
Thank you again for this information!
2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

Jill Marie

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #25 on: January 15, 2013, 12:25:14 am »
Hi Nancy,

Please, please, please keep trying to find someone that will work with you.  I know we are all different, my left eye blinks when my right one does, if memory serves me correctly your eye doesn't blink,  I might have more tone in my face to keep in eye drops, or I might have less tone then you.  I do believe from what my doctor has told me that there are lots of options and there is something out there that should work for you and me. 

My eye was so dry and hurt so very, very bad that I would often take naps after work, would nap for two hours Saturday & Sunday after sleeping 8 to 9 hours.  By Thursday I could hardly look at a computer screen because the brightness hurt my eye, I hated sunlight.  My eye was so red that customers would ask if I was ok, I could see the damage on the edge of my cornea, it's gone now.  One week after I got the lens the doctor said my eye went from a blank screen(completely scarred) to waves of scarring and good tissue, (read the big E and two lines below it for the first time in 15 years or more), two weeks later she said my eye looked like a finger print, little lines of scarring.  It's only been a month!  This past weekend was the first weekend in a couple of years that I didn't take a nap during the day despite staying up later than I should have, busy enjoying my new freedoms.  Not sure what caused it to get so bad the last couple of years, thing it was a long slow progression. 

Ok, now for answering your questions.  I had read that they don't want you using the lens more than 8-10 hours a day because of possible infections.  The first day I got the lens I wore it for 2 hours, was very nervous as I was afraid it would be stuck to my eye.  The next day was 3 hours, then 4, then 6 THEN 12 hours.  I have worn it from 7:30 a.m. tell 10:30 p.m. every day since then.  I put preservative free drops in the lens, if I put to much it feel strange for a little bit then I'm fine.  I put ointment in after that as needed.  I use to use 2 to 3 tubes in 8 hours, now I use almost half a tube.  I bought some thick gel drops in single vials a couple of days ago and will try those instead of using the ointment.  Not sure I have the tone in my face to hold the drops.  I read somewhere that you would have to take the lens out and put more drops in every few hours but I haven't had to do that, would be more than happy to do it if necessary but glad I don't have to.   I haven't had any infection issues at all, my eye feels WONDERFULl!

My doctor said she has a lady that wears the lens 24/7, against her wishes but so far is doing fine! 

Years ago I went to the clinic I'm at now but stopped because they insisted I have my eyes dilated, it burned my left eye so bad I swore I would never do it again.  They said they wouldn't examine my eyes if I didn't so I went elsewhere, he was an ophthalmologist, thought it was best to see him because of my eye issues.  I ended up going to a very caring optometrist, he's the one that referred me to the contact lens specialist back at the clinic that I use to go to.  I wrote her a detailed letter about what I was going through and she personally left me a message on my phone saying she could help me. 

I clean the lens every night with an extra strength cleaner made for the lens then soak it over night.  I've had a day or two where it take a couple of tries to get the lens to stay in, 5 times one day, arghh!  One night last week it took 15 minutes to get the lens out at night, arghh again!  Most days and nights it's in and out without a hitch, told you the bad times so when you get your lens you won't panic when it doesn't go well knowing that sometimes that's the way it goes! 

Did your eye doctor say why he wasn't sold on the lens?

Can't wait to hear what you find out and of course can't wait to hear you are trying the lens and that it works for you! Jill :D

Facial Nerve Neuroma removed 6/15/92 by Dr. Charles Mangham, Seattle Ear Clinic. Deaf/left ear, left eye doesn't water.

nancyann

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #26 on: January 15, 2013, 07:07:20 pm »
Hi Jill: Thanks for the info re: how you're doing w/the lens.
My eye doc gave me the okay to try it - he told me 2 places that fit the lens, but I found an optometrist who has been fitting them, so tomorrow I will call for an appt.
I have total paralysis since my surgery, no tone, etc. My eye closes (not all the way) b/c of my platinum weight.
So again, thank you so much for the info & will let you know what happens. Thank you Dena for finding out about this too!
I made my appt. today: 11/30/13 - will let you know what happens!
« Last Edit: January 16, 2013, 07:22:20 pm by nancyann »
2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

nancyann

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #27 on: January 30, 2013, 12:37:58 pm »
Had my appt. today w/ Dr. Ken Maller, optometrist in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. So he took the measurements for the scleral lens on the right and a corneal contact lens on the left. He said my vision will be so much better! I go back next week to pick them up, see how it fits & 'learn' to put them in (& take them out). I can't wait! Thanks again Jill and Dena for finding out about this. I am forever grateful...
2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

Jill Marie

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #28 on: January 30, 2013, 11:56:26 pm »
Hi Nancyann,  so very glad to hear that you got fitted for your scleral lens, I think I'm almost as excited as you are to see how it works for you.  Up until last Wednesday I was using a loaner lens, I got my permanent one and it doesn't fit quite right, my upper lids rubs on it so I will be getting it adjusted.  I'm telling you this so that if yours doesn't feel quite right let the doctor know so he can fix it.  I realize it will feel a bit odd at first so it's hard to tell if you are just getting use to the lens or if it isn't fit quite right.  My loaner lens was a bit off as well and she fixed it right there in the office.  Tonight I just couldn't get the lens out and was starting to worry, then I remembered I had a spare "plunger", got it out and it worked the first time.  The plunger is a little rubber thing they give you to remove the lens with.  Like all things they wear out. 

My Insurance paid for my office visits but don't know yet if they will pay for the lens itself.

You are very welcome Nancyann, I too am forever grateful to Dena.  Can't wait to hear how you and the new lenses are doing.  If you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Hoping that when little things come up now and then we can help each other out. 

Jill
Facial Nerve Neuroma removed 6/15/92 by Dr. Charles Mangham, Seattle Ear Clinic. Deaf/left ear, left eye doesn't water.

nancyann

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Re: Schleral lens
« Reply #29 on: January 31, 2013, 05:56:37 pm »
Jill: My doc told me he might have to 'tweek' the lens, but hopes he won't (me too).
He'll write a letter to my ins. co. along with the bill. I know I have $200. deductible for out of network, but hoping they'll pay for the lens, we'll see. Will write back once I get the lens.
2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis